Well, CIFF may be over, but we hope the memories will last forever!  And now to announce the winners of this years festival…

Harrell Award for Best Documentary – THE WAITING ROOM by Pete Nicks

Special Jury Mention – DOWNEAST by David Redmon and Ashley Sabin

This years jury included Indiewire’s Bryce Renninger, DER’s Executive Director, Alice Apley and Jason Spingarn-Koff, Op-Docs Series Producer for the New York Times.

From the jury: “The Harrell Award for Best Film goes to Pete Nicks’ The Waiting Room for its bravery using individual stories told intimately to highlight the faults in our healthcare system and the fortitude of so many involved with emergency room care. A special jury mention goes to David Redmon and Ashley Sabin’s Downeast for telling the story of one small businesssman’s trials and tribulations in involving his community in rehabilitating a local economy.  Downeast should be required viewing for business school students.”

Emerging Cinematic Vision Award – ONLY THE YOUNG by Jason Tippet and Elizabeth Mims

Special Jury Mention – MEANWHILE IN MAMELODI by Benjamin Kahlmayer

This years jury included filmmaker AJ Schnack, Hot Docs Director of Programming, Charlotte Cook, and filmmaker and Harvard Professor, Robb Moss.

From the jury: “For its intimate portrayal of teen age friendship, its wonderful cinematic intuitions, and its unusually nuanced story structure, we award the Grand Jury Prize to “Only the Young”. For its joyous portrayal of a South African family, its bold use of music, and its belief in the camera to see into another culture, we award the Special Jury Prize to “Meanwhile in Mamelodi.”

Audience Award sponsored by Dick and Ann Costello – BETTING THE FARM by Jason Mann and Cecily Pingree

Points North Documentary Forum – Best Pitch Award: IN COUNTRY by Mike Attie and Meghan O’Hara

Jurors included: Simon Kilmurry (POV), Judith Helfand (Chicken & Egg Pictures), Phil Engelhorn (Cinereach), Beth Janson (Tribeca Film Institute), Lyda Kuth (LEF Foundation), Daniel Chalfen (Naked Edge Films), Brian Newman (direcTV), Winona Meringolo (Discovery), Sheila Leddy (The Fledgling Fund), Chris Hastings (WGBH WORLD Channel), Alice Apley (Documentary Educational Resources)

From the jury: “For a sensitive, balanced portrayal of a unique subject and remarkably assured trailer and pitch from two emerging filmmakers.”